“Artificial Intelligence”…of the human kind!
“Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
Several years ago, you may remember a post describing our increasing reliance on machines, devices, and “artificial intelligence.” On several occasions, I have attempted to spread awareness of the phenomenon of AI’s abilities to create and/or recreate itself… over and over again. What was once a “science fiction” story has become science fact in vivid color.
The article, “Device Depends on Device”, described instances and descriptions in which robots or robots have been designed to mimic the actions, capabilities, and appearance(s) of the human race… “human-like”; “The image of its creator!”
How many times have you been in your car and engaged in a shouting match or argumentative interaction with a “GPS” or “on-board interface?” Oh, come on now… didn’t you get angry and yell at the device when the voice behind it gave you wrong or wrong directions? sure you have.
Contributing author Celine Yeager talks about a doctoral student at Stanford University who specializes in human-technology interaction.
“We (humans) are confused and angry because we don’t know what a ‘global positioning system’ is,” says David Miller.
However, this author (your right) is and continues to be guilty of this particular type of conduct. The damn thing told me I was remembering to enter a direction (when that wasn’t satisfactory, I tried using the voice command option); He directed me to take a highway and get out… I followed suit. When I realized the directions were completely wrong – the damn sound put us on “Highway to Hell!”
We drove sixty miles out and away from our planned destination, Pocono Mountain.
Well, I’m here to tell you, I momentarily (oh, like many) went insane and started screaming so loudly inside the “GPS system”. Miller went on to say, “In the future, when GPS gives you directions, it might give you a rationale, so that you have a better two-way relationship.”
… Yes, correct. I’m happy when something gets me to my unfamiliar destination(s)… via the right path! I don’t mean to be hard on the device…it’s a very good little tool when it works as expected.
“A Bite Of The Apple” addressed the “IT” community on major issues related to Apple’s stance on “secret and proprietary practices” in the tech world; Hardware and software – especially its hardware products. Apple’s “IT” decision makers embrace an ergonomic flaw that reveals a preference, they said, “Apple-like” form over function, that is, the iMAC connectors on the back of their devices are designed and/or identified by anal retention.
Their IT management team describes a possible meaning of the term “anal retention”. It is a point on a curve at which the curvature changes from convex to concave or vice versa. It may also be called a “flex point” or “inflection point”. Apple management says its proprietary devices put more sway in marketing to business users. Apple devices are making their way into the enterprise arena because IT managers, not users, love them.
The End User report confirms the fact, indicating that the product(s) are good and excellent in terms of ease of use, design and reliability. Does anyone remember the definition of cloning?
Many of us have computers in our homes today. And there are many others who feel that they are, and believe that they are taking a step further while using home robots like “Alexa” or “Watson” from IBM and the myriad of cloned devices that clean, monitor and orchestrate their daily lives or lifestyles.
Where is your cell phone?
It used to be the desktop computer that served as the central “internet” connection. Then it was the “laptop”. The “tablet” is still very popular these days, but the “smart phone” is beating them all. All one has to do is just look around… look and see how many people walk, run, ride, drive, and fly… depend on those constantly uninterrupted devices to sustain their existence, their lives on this planet.
Not long ago, a vicious computer virus took control of around 400,000 computers across more than 160 countries in one of the world’s worst cyber attacks and computer infections.
The virus blocks all access to programs, files, mainframes, and networks unless the computer owner(s) pays a ransom. Collectible money can only be paid by “Bitcoin”.
Bitcoin is an online currency that is almost impossible to track. Bitcoin is traded for the purchase of a “ransom key”. Oftentimes, victims pay money just to not get the key to unlock their computers (or) systems, thus losing their money and data.
This incident should serve as a major wake-up call for users with the much encouraged “must do” action(s) on computers and internet devices in their care or use, preventing viruses, botnets, web crawlers, malware, worms, etc.
I certainly agree with the author, Doug Shadel, in suggesting that users/owners regularly back up your important files to an external drive or a remote storage service; have a popup blocker running on your web browser at all times; immediately leave websites to which you were directed without your consent; use a reputable antivirus program – keep it up to date at all times; Make sure your software (and antivirus) is up to date; Don’t click on links or open attachments from email addresses you don’t know; Buy only legitimate software – and register it.
Remember the scene in Star Wars where the bar owner yells at Luke Skywalker to get his droids out of his establishment?
This scene is the result of human prejudices against machines or the robot type. Detroit, Michigan’s auto industry and workforce are all run entirely by robots (or robots). Robots perform major operations on humans and animals alike. Robots prepare foods, package and ship items, drive cars, and diagnose human illnesses and diseases. Bots answer phones and forward calls. Bots call you on your phones, remind you of overdue bills and appointments, pick up prescriptions, and make attempts to sell you other goods and services. Robots build bridges, buildings and houses. Robots do anything and everything a human or animal can and has been doing. Ask yourself… how many jobs have been lost and lost to robots?
“Many companies use sentiment analysis to measure mood on social networks and/or the web…but gaining insight requires new methods and skills,” said Techweb’s Doug Henchen.
“It definitely takes new tactics and skill sets in order to land a position in the new world of IT, business intelligence, communications, and analytics.” This conclusion was posited by the published article, “Destruction and Creation – A New Hyperfunctionality.” No one can deny the enormous and great changes that have taken place in the “New World Economy” of this century. What will happen in the next centuries – will we be like Star Trek? How about a world and future like that from “Logan’s Run?” Will robots become judges, lawyers, congressional appointees, senators, or the president? Those of us who are knowledgeable about, interested in, and/or motivated in or toward humanity’s continued dominance over machines must become masters of both aspects of IT/BI.
Artificial intelligence: artificial intelligence… contrasted with natural (human/animal-like) intelligence…the ability of a computer or robot to do what humans or animals naturally or commonly do—with intelligent intelligence or abilities…the ability to reason.
How long will it be before humans (of the human type) are completely brainwashed by “artificial intelligence” – becoming our full and complete substitutes instead of our servants all at once?
“How long? Not long!”
Now, doesn’t that argument make you wonder…
“Artificial intelligence”… of the human type?
“Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”
Until next time…
“G”